[had to stay away from the “Leavin’ on a Jetplane†typical blog title]
Weird feeling to just walk out of the Renaissance today, hop in a mini-van taxi and head home to Idaho. Such a weird thing to be around such great people, great thinkers, theologically-inspiring days…and now back to Idaho. It doesn’t help the weirdness that I have to spend a lot of this week packing up and getting ready to move from the place I’ve called home for 2 years (granted, I know 2 years isn’t a long time – but I have definitely put down some roots in Idaho) – and off to “the road ahead.
Coming this year to the Emergent Convention really felt like going to a family reunion. At family reunions there is a mess of people (some you’re very close to, others are more just like acquaintances), and you are a little sad when you leave, but there is always this feeling in the back of your mind that you’re going to see them again, so you’re not really worried about that. There is something comforting…and safe to be with family; people who know your stories (and your shit) – and hopefully that is what is happening at Emergent (well, I think that’s definitely happening with Emergent, but hopefully that can begin as well at the Emergent Conventions). I’m thankful for the family of emergent; the friendship of emergent. While I(we) like to make fun of them, I’m thankful for all of the buzzwords that are true of emergent: conversation, dialogue, authenticity…